Plug for beverage cup lid

ABSTRACT

A plug member for plugging a sipping hole formed in a lid is provided. The plug member includes an elongated strip having a first end, an opposite second end, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface. The first end for attachment to a support structure and the second end having a protruding stopper formed along and protruding from the inner surface and configured to sealingly plug the sipping hole. The elongated strip has at least one fold line that partitions the elongated strip into a plurality of segments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/838,534, filed Apr. 25, 2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein as if expressly set forth in its respective entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to beverage cups and more particularly, relates to a plug member for plugging a sipping hole of a lid that covers the beverage cup, with the plug member preferably being disposable and formed of an environmentally friendly (eco-friendly) material.

BACKGROUND

There are many different types of beverages and there are equally many different types of beverage containers. With respect to soft drinks and similar type of beverages, these types of beverages often come in glass or plastic bottles and are covered with caps. One of the most popular beverage is coffee or tea and when purchased at retail locations, these beverages are typically supplied in a paper or plastic (Styrofoam) container and are covered with a lid. The lid is typically formed of a plastic material and has a drinking opening (spout) and is snap-fittingly attached to the open end of the container.

In some lid designs, the drinking or sipping opening is formed in a raised spout or can be in the form of an opening formed in a raised portion (e.g., annular shaped raised portion of the lid).

Often times, these beverages are consumed on the go, such as when driving in a car, and therefore are susceptible to spillage through the drinking (sipping) opening. In an effort to combat such spillage of a potentially hazardous hot fluid, some lids include a flap or pull tab that is first separated from the surrounding section of the lid to expose the drinking opening and then can be flipped back over to plug the drinking opening (mouth hole) to keep the beverage from splashing out. The flap can be formed as a perforated structure that makes it easy to separate the flap from the surrounding lid structure.

Other beverage suppliers have designed splash sticks that are inserted into the drinking (sipping) opening for plugging this opening. Unfortunately, such splash sticks are not formed of environmentally friendly materials since they are formed of plastic and thus, represent an additional waste product. Thus, while disposable coffee cups are typically paper-based cups, they are usually lined with a membrane of polyethylene (plastic) to make them waterproof, and thus, are technically not recyclable alongside paper or cardboard, or biodegradable. There are many hybrid varieties of coffee cup on the market including wax-coated cups (like milk cartons) and ‘biodegradable’ cups.

In any event, there is a movement for manufacturers to offer more environmentally friendly products, including disposable beverage containers (cups). The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a plug member for plugging a sipping hole formed in a lid is provided. The plug member includes an elongated strip having a first end, an opposite second end, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface. The first end for attachment to a support structure and the second end having a protruding stopper formed along and protruding from the inner surface and configured to sealingly plug the sipping hole. The elongated strip has at least one fold line that partitions the elongated strip into a plurality of segments.

In one embodiment, a sleeve for placement about a beverage cup is provided. The sleeve includes a sleeve body and a plug member for plugging a sipping hole formed in a lid for placement on the beverage cup. The plug member includes an elongated strip having a first end, an opposite second end, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface. The first end is attached to an outer surface of the sleeve and the second end has a protruding stopper formed along and protruding from the inner surface and configured to sealingly plug the sipping hole. The elongated strip has at least one fold line that partitions the elongated strip into a plurality of segments.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a beverage cup that includes a cup body having an open top end and a lid for attachment to the open top end. The lid has a sipping hole formed therein. A sleeve is optionally disposed about the cup body. A plug member is provided for plugging the sipping hole formed in the lid.

The plug member includes an elongated strip having a first end, an opposite second end, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface. The first end is attached to an outer surface of the cup body or an outer surface of the sleeve. The second end has a protruding stopper formed along and protruding from the inner surface and configured to sealingly plug the sipping hole. The elongated strip has at least one fold line that partitions the elongated strip into a plurality of segments and permits the plug member to move between a collapsed state for storing the plug member along the cup body or sleeve and an extended state to permit the stopper to sealingly plug the sipping hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a beverage cup with a sleeve and a plug member in accordance with one embodiment for plugging a sipping hole of a lid that covers the beverage cup, with the plug member being shown in a collapsed state;

FIG. 2 is a top and side perspective view of the beverage cup with the plug member in an extended state to allow the plug member to plug the sipping hole;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the beverage cup showing the plug member in a partially folded state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pull tab that is a part of the plug member;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the pull tab;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a beverage cup with a plug member in accordance with another embodiment and shown in the collapsed state;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a beverage cup with a sleeve and a plug member in accordance with another embodiment and shown in a partially folded state;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a beverage cup with a sleeve and a plug member in accordance with another embodiment and shown in a partially folded state; and

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a beverage cup with a sleeve and a plug member in accordance with another embodiment and shown in a partially folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 illustrates a beverage container 100 in accordance with a first embodiment. The beverage container 100 is generally formed of two main components, namely, a base (receptacle) or cup 110 and an attachable lid 200.

The cup 110 is a hollow receptacle with a closed bottom end and an open top end. As mentioned herein, the cup 110 typically comprises a paper-based cup and is usually lined with a membrane of polyethylene (plastic) to make them waterproof. The open top end includes a top rim or lip 120 to which the lid 200 engages for securely holding the lid 200 on the cup 110.

The lid 200 includes a top portion 210 and a side wall 220 that depends downwardly from the top portion 210. The top portion 210 can include a stepped construction in that a center section 212 thereof can be recessed relative to an annular shaped peripheral portion 214 (which can define the topmost surface of the lid). Within the annular shaped peripheral portion 214, a sipping hole 230 is formed. The sipping hole 230 can take any number of different shapes; however, typically, the sipping hole 230 has an oval or oblong shape.

Optionally, the beverage container 100 can include a cup sleeve 300. As is known, (coffee) cup sleeves 300 (cup holders) are generally cylindrical sleeves that fit tightly over handle-less paper coffee cups 110 to insulate the drinker's hands from hot coffee. Cup sleeves 300 are typically made of textured paperboard, but can be made of other materials. The cup sleeve 300 is inserted over the closed bottom end of the cup 110 and is moved along the outside of the cup 110 to a location which is a natural hand gripping location for holding the cup 110 and where a snug-fit is achieved between the sleeve and cup.

In accordance with the present invention, a plug member (plug accessory) 400 is provided and is configured to selectively plug the sipping hole 230 when the plug member 400 is placed in a position in which at least a portion of the plug member 400 is at least partially inserted into the sipping hole 230. The plug member 400 is designed to be easily inserted into the sipping hole 230 for plugging thereof as when the beverage container 100 is being transported or otherwise not drunk and likewise can be easily removed from the sipping hole 230 so as to open up the sipping hole 230 and permit free drinking of the beverage from the cup 110.

In one embodiment, the plug member 400 is at least temporarily or permanently fixed to a support structure, such as the sleeve 300 or the cup 110 itself as described herein. More specifically, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one plug member 400 that comprises a foldable structure that can move between a collapsed state (FIG. 1) and an extended state (FIG. 2) with FIG. 3 illustrating a partially folded state.

The plug member 400 is preferably formed of an environmentally friendly material, such as paper, that is biodegradable.

As shown in FIG. 3, the plug member 400 can be in the form of an elongated strip having a strip body 402 that has a first end 404 and an opposing second end 406. The elongated strip has an inner surface 408 that faces inward toward the cup 110 and lid 200 and an opposite outer surface 409 that faces away from the cup 110 and lid 200.

The first end 404 is the end which is attached to the sleeve 300 or the cup 110. In FIGS. 1-3, the plug member 400 (i.e., first end 404) is attached to the outer surface of the sleeve 300, while in FIG. 6, the plug member 400 (i.e., first end 404) is attached directly to the cup 110. The second end 406 is the end that contains a plug or stopper 410 that is the physical structure plugs the sipping hole 230 by being at least partially inserted therein and the second end 406 further includes a pull-tab 420 which is configured to be pulled by the user for detaching the plug member 400 from the sleeve 300 or cup 110. The pull-tab 420 can comprise the second end 406, while the stopper 410 is formed at or proximate the second end 406 and more particularly, the stopper 410 is formed along the inner surface 408. The pull-tab 420 is intended and configured to detach the strip body 402 from the sleeve 300 or from the cup. The pull-tab 420 can also be used to lift the stopper 410 from the sipping hole 230 when it is lodged therein. The pull-tab 420 can take any number of different forms and can be a rounded end of the strip body 402. The pull-tab 420 can thus be an integral part of the strip body 402.

The stopper 410 thus has a complementary shape relative to the sipping hole 230 and therefore, in one embodiment, the stopper 410 can have an oval or oblong shape. The stopper 410 can be formed of the same material as the elongated strip or can be formed of a different material; however, as mentioned herein, both the elongated strip and stopper 410 are preferably formed of an eco-friendly material, such as a paper-based material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plug member 400 is a foldable structure in that the elongated strip can have a first fold line 401 and a second fold line 403 as shown in FIG. 3. By folding the elongated strip about these two fold lines, the plug member 400 can assume a collapsed state which has a much smaller footprint relative to the plug member 400 in its extended state. The first fold line 401 is closer to the first end 404 and the second fold line 403 is closer to the second end 406. The provision of two fold lines 401, 403 define a distal segment 430, an intermediate segment 440, and a proximal segment 450. The proximal segment 430, including the first end 404, is the portion that attaches to either the sleeve 300 or the cup itself, while the distal segment 430 is a free end that includes the stopper 410 and the pull-tab 420.

In order to maintain the plug member 400 in the collapsed state, there are a plurality of defined attachment points at which the elongated strip is at least temporarily held and permanently attached to the support structure. In particular, there is a first attachment point 460 at or near the first end 404 for attaching the proximal segment 450 to the sleeve or the cup itself or other support structure. The first attachment point 460 is of a permanent nature and thus can be formed of a permanent adhesive or similar material. The plug member 400 is not intended to be separated from the support structure (e.g., sleeve or cup) at the first attachment point 460 and thus, a permanent attachment is provided.

For example, a dab of permanent glue (or other permanent bonding adhesive) can be provided at the first attachment point 460 for permanently attaching the proximal end (first end 404) of the strip body to the support structure. Other techniques, such as heat bonding, can be used.

In one embodiment, the plug member 400 also includes a second attachment point 462. In the event that the fold lines 401, 403 are positioned such that the length of the distal segment 430 is greater than the length of the other segments, when the strip body 402 is folded about the fold lines 401, 403, the second end 406 of the strip body 402 overhangs both the intermediate segment 440 and the proximal segment 450 (which overlie with one another) and thus the inner surface of the distal segment 430 at the second (distal) end 406 can include the second attachment point 462 which permits a temporary attachment between the distal segment 430 and the support structure (e.g., the sleeve 300 or the cup itself).

For example, a dab of repositionable (temporary) glue (or other non-permanent bonding adhesive) can be provided at the second attachment point 462 for temporarily attaching the distal segment 430 of the strip body to the support structure (sleeve 300 or the cup).

The permanent first attachment point 460 and the temporary attachment point 462 permit the plug member 400 to be maintained in its folded (collapsed) state. At the temporary attachment point 462, a temporary adhesive (also known as a repositionable adhesive) can be used. One type of temporary adhesive is a pressure sensitive acrylate (PSA). As described herein, the temporary adhesive allows the user to easily detach the plug member 400 and then move it from the collapsed state to the fully extended state to allow insertion of the stopper 410 into the sipping hole.

Optionally, there can be a third attachment point 464 as in FIG. 3 to create a more robust attachment in that the third attachment point 464 can be used to attach the intermediate segment 440 and the proximal segment 450 in a temporary manner.

The first attachment point 460 is the strongest attachment since this is the location at which the plug member 400 is attached to the sleeve 300 or the cup itself and must be robust enough so that the plug member 400 does not inadvertently come off during the detachment and use of the plug member 400. The other attachment points 462, 464 are weaker so that the strip body 402 separates easily from the support structure (sleeve or cup) and extends up to the lid to plug the sipping hole of the lid. The strip body 402 can also be unplugged from the lid and reattached to the support structure (sleeve or cup) by folding it back onto the weaker glue points (attachment points 462, 464) if the user wants the plug member 400 out of the way and/or wishes to reuse the plug member 400 at a later time.

In the event that the distal segment 430 does not overhang the intermediate segment 440 and proximal segment 450, then another attachment scheme can be provided as shown in FIG. 9. For example, the plug member 400 includes the second attachment point 462 and the third attachment point 464. Unlike the first attachment point 460, the second and third attachment points 462, 464 are designed to be a temporary nature so as to allow detachment, repositioning, and reattachment of the plug member 400. The second attachment point 462 is located along the outer surface of the strip body 402 within the intermediate segment 440 or can be located along the outer surface of the proximal segment 450. The second attachment point 462 is intended to temporarily attach the intermediate segment 440 and the proximal segment 450. The second attachment point 462 can be located below the stopper 410 (as shown in FIG. 3) or even, in some embodiments, it can be located within the pull tab region.

The third attachment point 464 can be located along the inner surface of the strip body 402 within the distal segment 430 or along the inner surface within the intermediate segment 440. The third attachment point 464 is intended to temporarily attach the distal segment 430 and the intermediate segment 440.

Both the second and third attachment points 462, 464 can be formed of a dab of temporary adhesive to allow the user to easily pull the plug member 400 away from the support structure (sleeve 300 or cup) and move from the collapsed state to the extended state and then once the stopper 410 is removed from the sipping hole, the strip body 402 is folded again about the two fold lines and is attached at the second and third attachments points 462, 464.

The adhesive can also be an environmental (eco) friendly adhesive material. Popular, eco-friendly adhesives, include but are not limited to the following materials: (1) solvent-free water based adhesives with low VOC; (2) solvent-free hot melt adhesives with low VOC; (3) naturally derived adhesives (Dextrins and other starch based glues); and (4) low viscosity adhesives that are curable by UV.

The repositionable nature of the second and third attachment points 462, 464 allows the plug member 400 to be repeatedly moved between the collapsed state and the fully extended state, thereby allowing the plug member 400 to be used multiple times. Typically, during consumption of the beverage, the user may need to plug and unplug the sipping hole more than once during the consumption. It may be that after consumption of the beverage, the plug member 400 is discarded since it is part of the disposable sleeve 300 or part of the disposable cup to which the plug member 400 is permanently attached.

It the event that the plug member 400 is attached to the sleeve 300 and the sleeve 300 is reused, the plug member 400 can thus also be reused.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment in which the strip body 402 is only folded about a single fold line 419 so as to form a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is permanently attached to the sleeve or cup at a permanent attachment point 460 using a permanent adhesive (glue) or other suitable material. The second segment terminates in a pull-tab 420 and also includes the stopper 410 formed along an inner surface thereof. A temporary attachment point 469 can be provided along the inner surface of the second segment to attach the second segment to the cup body or the sleeve 300. As illustrated, the attachment point 469 can be between the stopper 410 and fold line 419 or it can be within the pull-tab 420 area so as to allow the pull-tab 420 to be temporarily attached to the sleeve or cup.

In the collapsed state, the strip body 402 is folded about the single fold line 419 and the exposed temporary adhesive at the temporary attachment point 469 is brought toward and into contact with the support structure (sleeve or cup) to attach the second segment.

In the collapsed state, the fold line 419 lies below the permanent attachment point 460, while the temporary attachment point 469 is located above the permanent attachment point 460. Given the location of the fold line 419 relative to the permanent attachment point 460, the strip body can easily be extended and has sufficient length so as to allow the stopper 410 to be inserted into the sipping hole 230.

An additional temporary attachment point can be provided along the outer surface of the first segment between point 460 and the fold line 419 to temporarily attach the first segment to the sleeve 300.

FIG. 8 illustrates a construction in which both ends 404, 406 of the plug member 400 are disposed along the sleeve 300 in the collapsed state. The proximal segment 450 is permanently attached to the sleeve 300, while the distal segment 430 can be temporarily attached to the sleeve 300 itself or can be temporarily attached to the intermediate segment 440. For example, the second attachment point 462 at which a temporary adhesive is located can be positioned as illustrated to attach the distal segment 430 to the intermediate segment 440 or it can be located at the end 406 to attach directly to the sleeve 300. The third attachment point 464 is positioned for temporarily attaching the intermediate segment 440 to the proximal segment 450.

In one aspect, the present invention can be embodied as a disposable beverage cup cardboard heat sleeve that has a plug member which can be in the form of a strip of paper type material which up to plug the sipping (drinking) hole formed in the lid so that it becomes splash proof while keeping the liquid in the cup warmer. The strip can be formed of cardboard, paper or some other type of rigid material that is attached (e.g., glued) to the heat sleeve (often formed of cardboard), while the other end is extended and inserted into the sipping hole to effectively plug the sipping hole with a plug or stopper. The strip can be folded onto itself which allows it to have a compact collapsed state and allows it to be opened and extend a distance to reach the lids of different sized cups, such as small, medium and large cups. The stopper can be formed with a low profile so that the same number of sleeves can be packed and shipped in a box as before. Unlike conventional solutions, which are not eco-friendly, the present solution is eco-friendly and can be formed of a biodegradable material.

It will also be appreciated that the pull tab 420 can comprise a reinforced structure relative to the other portions of the strip body 402. For example, the pull tab 420 can have a greater thickness than the adjacent portion and rest of the strip body 402 to provide a more robust end of the plug member 400 for the user to pull and detach the plug member 400 from the support structure (sleeve or cup body). Alternatively, the pull tab region can be coated so as to provide a more robust end.

Also, indicia can be provided along the plug member 400, such as the pull tab region, to guide the user on where to pull the plug member 400.

Another embodiment, not shown in the drawings, the plug member includes a tubular arm which is attached to the cardboard heat sleeve 300 or body of the cup and then telescopes from a collapsed position to an extended position where it can be plugged in to the sipping opening 230 in the lid. Further, the plug stopper portion 410, of the telescoping arm, can be detached from the drinking opening and re-collapsed back down to the starting position on the cardboard heat sleeve 300 or cup body. Telescoping structures are known in the art and generally consist of a plurality of segments that fit within one another and remain coupled to one another in all states.

Notably, the figures and examples above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, as other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not necessarily be limited to other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A plug member for plugging a sipping hole formed in a lid comprising: an elongated strip having a first end, an opposite second end, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, the first end for attachment to a support structure, the second end having a protruding stopper formed along and protruding from the inner surface and configured to sealingly plug the sipping hole, the elongated strip having at least one fold line that partitions the elongated strip into a plurality of segments that can fold relative to one another.
 2. The plug member of claim 1, wherein the elongated strip has at least two fold lines to partition the elongated strip into a proximal segment, an intermediate segment, and a distal segment.
 3. The plug member of claim 2, wherein the stopper is formed along the inner surface of the distal segment.
 4. The plug member of claim 1, wherein the entire plug member is formed of a biodegradable material.
 5. The plug member of claim 4, wherein the entire plug is formed from a paper material.
 6. The plug member of claim 1, wherein the stopper has an oblong shape.
 7. The plug member of claim 1, wherein the elongated strip includes at least one temporary attachment point formed of an amount of temporary adhesive for temporarily attaching the elongated strip to the support structure or to an element that is coupled to the support structure.
 8. The plug member of claim 7, wherein the temporary adhesive comprises glue.
 9. A sleeve for placement about a beverage cup comprising: a sleeve body; and a plug member for plugging a sipping hole formed in a lid for placement on the beverage cup, the plug member including: an elongated strip having a first end, an opposite second end, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, the first end being attached to an outer surface of the sleeve, the second end having a protruding stopper formed along and protruding from the inner surface and configured to sealingly plug the sipping hole, the elongated strip having at least one fold line that partitions the elongated strip into a plurality of segments that can fold relative to one another.
 10. The sleeve of claim 9, wherein the sleeve body comprises a cardboard sleeve that is configured to be disposed and held about the beverage cup.
 11. The sleeve of claim 9, wherein the first end is permanently attached to the outer surface of the sleeve and the second end includes a temporary attachment point formed of an amount of temporary adhesive for temporarily attaching the second end to one of the sleeve and the beverage cup.
 12. The sleeve of claim 11, wherein the first end is permanently attached to the sleeve at or proximate a top edge of the sleeve.
 13. The sleeve of claim 9, wherein the elongated strip has at least two fold lines to partition the elongated strip into a proximal segment, an intermediate segment, and a distal segment, with the proximal segment being permanently attached to the sleeve.
 14. The sleeve of claim 13, wherein the elongated strip includes a first temporary attachment point formed of a temporary adhesive and a second temporary attachment point formed of the temporary adhesive.
 15. The sleeve of claim 14, wherein the first temporary attachment point is located within the distal segment for temporarily attaching the distal segment to one of the sleeve and beverage cup and the second temporary attachment point located for temporarily attaching the intermediate segment to the proximal segment.
 16. The sleeve of claim 13, wherein the stopper is formed along the inner surface of the distal segment.
 17. The sleeve of claim 9, wherein the entire plug member is formed of a biodegradable material.
 18. The sleeve of claim 17, wherein the entire plug is formed from a paper material.
 19. The plug member of claim 14, wherein the temporary adhesive comprises glue.
 20. A beverage cup comprising: a cup body having an open top end; a lid for attachment to the open top end, the lid having a sipping hole formed therein; optionally a sleeve that is disposed about the cup body; a plug member for plugging the sipping hole formed in the lid, the plug member including: an elongated strip having a first end, an opposite second end, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, the first end being attached to an outer surface of the cup body or an outer surface of the sleeve, the second end having a protruding stopper formed along and protruding from the inner surface and configured to sealingly plug the sipping hole, the elongated strip having at least one fold line that partitions the elongated strip into a plurality of segments and permits the plug member to move between a collapsed state for storing the plug member along the cup body or sleeve and an extended state to permit the stopper to sealingly plug the sipping hole. 